ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Unlicensed Counselor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsUnlicensed Counselor JobsUnlicensed Counselor Jobs in Portland, OR

Unlicensed Counselor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$30.2K

$60.7K

$79.5K

How much do unlicensed counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for unlicensed counselor in Portland, OR is $60,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,100.00 and $73,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an unlicensed counselor?

Unlicensed counselors are individuals who provide counseling services but do not hold a state-issued license to practice as a professional counselor or therapist. They may have relevant education or training and often work under supervision or in non-clinical settings such as community programs, schools, or support groups. While they can offer support and guidance, unlicensed counselors are typically limited in the types of services they can provide and are not authorized to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. It's important to verify the qualifications and legal scope of practice for anyone offering counseling services.

What does an unlicensed counselor do?

The job duties of an unlicensed counselor include providing counseling services or mental health treatment for a client. As an unlicensed counselor, you must have some training to provide mental health therapy, but you do not have a license. In this career, you may offer counseling services in a specific area, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family and relationship therapy. Some unlicensed counselors use religious themes and practices in their counseling. Depending on your area of specialization, you may work with other mental health professionals in an office or clinic to provide treatment for an individual.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an unlicensed counselor?

To thrive as an Unlicensed Counselor, you typically need a background in psychology or a related field, strong active listening skills, and foundational knowledge of counseling principles. Familiarity with case management software, basic assessment tools, and documentation systems is often expected. Exceptional empathy, nonjudgmental communication, and the ability to build trust are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential to providing effective support, maintaining client confidentiality, and fostering positive outcomes for clients within the boundaries of the role.

How do unlicensed counselors typically collaborate with licensed professionals within a mental health setting?

Unlicensed counselors often work under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists or clinical social workers. They may assist with intake interviews, facilitate group sessions, and offer support to clients while ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines set by their supervising clinician. Regular team meetings and supervision sessions are common, allowing unlicensed counselors to discuss cases, receive feedback, and further develop their skills. This collaborative environment not only ensures quality care for clients but also provides valuable learning opportunities for unlicensed counselors as they progress toward licensure.

What is the difference between Unlicensed Counselor vs Licensed Counselor?

AspectUnlicensed CounselorLicensed Counselor
CredentialsTypically no state-issued license; may have a degree in counseling or related fieldMust hold a valid state license (e.g., LPC, LMHC) with required education and supervised experience
Work EnvironmentOften works under supervision, in community agencies, schools, or clinicsWorks independently or with supervision, in similar settings but with legal authority to provide counseling
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in non-clinical roles, internships, or transitional positionsStandard in clinical practice, private practice, and healthcare settings

In summary, Unlicensed Counselors typically have relevant education but lack licensure, limiting their scope of practice. Licensed Counselors have met state requirements, allowing them to provide independent clinical services. The key difference lies in licensure status, affecting their responsibilities and legal authority.

More about Unlicensed Counselor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Unlicensed Counselor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Unlicensed Counselor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Unlicensed Counselor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Unlicensed Counselor jobs in Portland, OR are:

Unlicensed Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unlicensed Counselor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,745 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Mental Health Clinician

Morrison Child & Family Services

Portland, OR • On-site

$69K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Mental Health Clinician
Department/Program:ORR Long Term Group Home
Reports to: Program Director or Clinical Supervisor
Job Type: Full Time
Work location: Mt.Scott, OR
FLSA status: Exempt/Salaried
Salary:
  • Unlicensed: $27.59/hr. - $30.39/hr. ($57,300/yr. - $63,200/yr.)
  • Licensed: $30.87/hr. - $33.41/hr. ($64,200/yr. - $69,400/yr.)
Bilingual Spanish:
  • Unlicensed: $30.07/hr. - $33.13/hr. ($62,500/yr. - $68,900/yr.)
  • Licensed: $33.65/hr. - $36.41/hr. ($69,900/yr. - $75,700/yr.)
Morrison Child and Family Services:We are a Joint Commission and Sanctuary accredited non-profit organizationthat provides a comprehensive array of services to children, adolescents, and their families. As an agency, Morrison, its team members, and clients commit to the following values of trauma-informed care:
  • Nonviolence-being safe and doing the rightthing
  • Emotional Intelligence-managing our feelings so wedon'thurt ourselves orothers
  • Social Learning-respecting and sharing ideas of ourteams
  • Democracy-shared decision making wheneverpossible
  • Open Communication-saying what we mean and not being mean when we sayit
  • Social Responsibility-everyonemakes a contributionto the organizationalculture
  • Growth and Change-creating hope for our clients and ourselves

Job Summary:

The Mental Health Clinician provides mental health assessments, with the ability to conduct a mental status examination, as well as provides ongoing individual and group counseling services, screens for human trafficking concerns, and provides crisis intervention services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provides mental health assessments for unaccompanied youth
  • Provides ongoing individual and group counseling services
  • Screens for human trafficking concerns
  • Provides crisis intervention services
  • Ability to conduct a mental status examination, and when appropriate, may complete a DSM diagnosis
  • Conducts best practice suicide risk assessments and flight risk assessments
  • Provides safety planning
  • Writes and supervises the implementation of an individual service plan
  • May involve oversight of Bachelor Level Clinicians (QMHA) and graduate students
  • Provides required documentation, services and external communication for youth on their caseload
  • Referrals for Psychiatric and Psychological services
  • Develops and facilitates transition plans for clients per ORR guidelines
  • May help supervise children and youth in milieu, on outings, and to appointments outside facility
  • Attends and participates in regular staff and clinical meetings
  • Coordinates with other service providers and participates in program development
  • Attends outside workshops and agency trainings as part of professional development activities
  • Adheres to program, agency and contract quality assurance standards
  • Develops skills to work with diverse clientele from a multicultural perspective.
  • Is aware of Morrison Compliance Program including Compliance Officer, Compliance Standards of Conduct, and Employee Compliance Hotline. Understands Compliance Standards of Conduct and signs attestation document. Completes all assigned compliance, HIPAA, client privacy, and fraud, waste, and abuse training. Knows how to report any client privacy or fraud, waste, or abuse concerns.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to developing a thorough knowledge and application of the Sanctuary model and other organizational policies & practices.
  • Participate in staff development, in-services, and training related to workplace effectiveness; model professional behaviors and implement improvements to business practices with awareness of their impact in a trauma-informed behavioral healthcare organization.

Competencies:

  • Professionalism
  • Applied Human Development
  • Relationship and Communication
  • Assessmen

Required Position Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in social work with clinical experience in the program, or Master's degree in psychology, counseling, marriage and family counseling or other relevant behavioral science in which direct clinical experience is a program requirement,
  • Licensure or licensed eligible. Non-licensed staff must be actively working towards licensure while employed and attain licensure within 3 years of employment date.

Preferred Position Qualifications:

  • Bi-lingual in Spanish and English, written, read and verbal required. Must clear a language proficiency test for Spanish
  • Ability to work effectively in an environment serving clients who are struggling with severe emotional and mental health related disorders
  • Ability to exercise tact, discretion and judgment while working with a variety of people
  • Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while working with others and in handling confidential information
  • Ability to work independently and seek out supervision as needed or required
  • Ability to regularly attend scheduled shift, be punctual for scheduled shifts and meetings, and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of position
  • Ability to follow HIPAA guidelines, federal regulations and Morrison policy
  • Skills in assessing and treating disturbed adolescents
  • Knowledge of treatment modalities and counseling methods
  • Knowledge of Federal, State and agency regulations
  • Visual acuity allowing for analysis of written data
  • Manual dexterity allowing for operation of routine office equipment (computers, telephone, fax, copy machine, typewriter, calculator, etc.)
  • Physical dexterity allowing for reaching, stooping, and repetitive motion of wrist, hand or fingers
  • Conducts self in manner that is respectful to others and cognizant of cultural differences

Other Requirements:

  • Bloodborne Pathogens training is required
  • Must pass criminal history check.
  • Pass a criminal history background check though Morrison and a suitability determination investigation through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. For further informationreview:https://www.opm.gov/suitability/suitability-and-credentialing-faqs/
  • Be in compliance with ORR's vaccination requirements.
  • Travel between program locations
  • Meet agency driving requirements
Working Conditions:
Environment:Work is done in clinical offices, community settings, including Morrison Residential, administration buildings, public locations, and social service sites. Breaks and meals are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants.
Mental demands: Work assigned is diverse and may involve addressing new and unique circumstances. The work might be unpredictable and disrupts planned tasks, requiring flexible time management.
Physical demands: Ability to remain calm and emotionally available serving youth, adults and or families who have experienced trauma. Proficient with office equipment and physical movement. Ability to perform physical interventions if needed in accordance with program and training. Physical dexterity for reaching, stooping, and repetitive wrist and hand motions.
All Morrison programs and services are accredited by The Joint Commission, a nationally recognized standard-setting and accreditation body for health care. Morrison is also certified as a trauma-informed organization by the Sanctuary Institute. Certification recognizes our dedication to providing a trauma-informed culture and environment for children, families and staff through implementing Sanctuary values, commitments, and tools.
We are an Affirmative Action Plan Employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.
In compliance with our Affirmative Action Plan, Morrison uses E-Verify to determine employment eligibility after an offer is accepted.
Applications will be reviewed as received. Morrison reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.Morrison employees are offered a variety of benefits including Medical, Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employer-Paid Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
For more information about us, please visit:Morrison Child & Family Services
Employment Type: Full-Time

Apply